Improvement in rotary steam engines



@glatten ,ftsts gatrnt @fitta E. GTLLESPIE, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

,Letters Patent N0.- 65,483, dated June 4, 1867.

IMEROVEMENT IN. ROTARY STEAM ENGINES.

TO ALL WHOMl IT MAY OONCERN:

Be it known that I, J. E. GILLESPIE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Rotary Motors, applicable also to pumps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, forming part of this specification, and in which,-

Figure 1 represents an end elevation of a steam or other motor having my improvement applied to it.

Figure 2, a partly sectional view taken at right angles to the driving-shaft-and close to the cylinder cover; and l Figure 3, a transverse section in the same direction through the centre of the motor.

Like letters refer to corresponding parts. v

My improvement relates to that classof .rotary motors or pumps in which radially-sliding pistons are used in connection with a revolving drum and eccentric outer cylinder or case; and the'nature of my invention consistsin a combination with such arrangement of pistons, of loose ecceptric rings to the inner edgesof the pistons, said rings boing left free to rotate. Likewise theinvontion consists in anovel outsideadjustment of said rings; also outside adjustment of bearing-blocks to the inner edges of the pistons.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents an outer cylinder or case supported on any suitable frame, B. C is the driving-shaft, which is arranged eccentric to the main cylinder A, and has fast to it a hollow drum, D, which may be boxed in at the ends that are recessed, t0 accommodate, between said ends andthe cylinder covers ou either side, a loosely-'fitting and free-to-rotatc ring, E, concentric, say, with the outer cylinder or case, and that serve as bearing surfaces for the interior edges of the pistons F, or blocks-a, fitted therein at opposite ends of said pistons, to rest on andtravel over or round said pistons, having a radially-sliding action through the drum D, and being guided or directed in such action .by yokes, Gr, connected with them, and clipping or looping over the shaft C. These rings are retained in place and set' up from time to time to adjust the pistons to ,their bearing and provide against wear, by means of anti-friction rollers b b, carried by a slide or slides H, adjustable by a set-screw, c, working through a box or case projection, I, on the exterior of the cylinder covers, and whereby said rings E are adjustable from the outside and while the motoris at work. The rings E being loose ands free to rotate, friction is reduced by the rub of the interior edges of the pistons or 'their blocks a against them in the travel of the drum D and main shaft. While the rings E arel supported orhcld hy the rollers I) l), as described, and thewings or pistons kept up snug to worl; against the shell or case by Ithe adjustment of the slide which carries the rollers, it may not bc practicable to move the rings E sufficiently from their true or original position to effect the adjustment in ease of extensive wear, to meet which, and to provide` for separate 'adjustment of the pistons, I make the blocks a, at the ends of the inner edges ofthe rings, adjustable by means of a screw or screws, CZ, passing up within a recess in the wings or pistons, and accessible from the outside cf the cylinder-or case on removing screw-plugs c. The outer and innerI edges of the Wings or pistons are suitably rounded to accommodate them to a free yet close fit against the surfaces they travel over during the varying eccentric positions of them assumed in their travel by reason of the relativ-e positions of the shell or case A, drum D, with its shaft C and rings E. Supposing steam to be the impelling force, it is or may be admitted by a revolving cock, J, which, where the main shaft or its drum, D, carries, say three wings or pistons, should revolve three times for each four revolutionsof the motor shaft, whereby said valve will act to advantage as a cut-off, the length of follow being determined by the breadth of the throat ofthe steam pipe K, inwhich it works. To make such action relative and automatic, the valve J should he geared with'the motor shaft by wheels, L M, of a size or diameter proportioned to` the different velocity required to give the valve, and which may be changed according to the -number of wings or pistons employed. N is the exhaust pipe, and g h are recesses orwuys in the outer cylinder to facilitate the admission of steam to the backsv of the pistons and secure a free and extended passage to the exhaust.v Where the motor is designed to be propelled by water, then the cut-off valve may be dispensed with, and would also be out of place in driving the machine to work as a pump, for which purpose, it will be obvious, my invention is equally applicable, by making the one pipe the suction, and the other to serve the purpose of delivery.

VWhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the sliding and revol.' operation together, essentially as specified.

2. The loose eccentric rings E, malle adjustable from the exterior of tlie cylinder' or case, herein set forth. i

ing radial wings or pistons and loose eccentric rings E, 'for substantially as 3. The blocks a, to the wings or pistons F, made adjustable from the outside of the cylinder Qr cnse, essen- `tially as described. l

J. E, GILLESPIE.

Witnesses:

Timms Lmvrrr, l J. KALLOCH. 

